Summary If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-12328035-24-LDD. The Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Dental Service, is seeking Dental Assistants to fill several vacancies in Houston. Dental Assistants provide routine patient care and perform some complex patient procedures under the general supervision of more experienced staff members or the treating dentist. Responsibilities The duties of a Dental Assistant in the Dental Service include, but are not limited to: Customer Service Routinely interacts in a professional and courteous manner with managers, co-workers and other employees to accomplish the work of the organization. Works with the Lead Dental Assistant and/or Supervisory Dental Assistant to provide input on general chairside assisting, works as a team player, and maintains efficient flow of patient care. Provides clinical support to Lead Dental Assistant, Supervisory Dental Assistant, DSL Executive Team, Program Directors, Supervisory Staff Dentists, Dental Assistants and other administrative/clinical professionals. Sterilization, Disinfection and Maintenance Places contaminated instruments in bins for sterilization by the Sterile Processing Service, verifying that the correct instruments are in each kit. Disinfects all impressions and prostheses before taking them to the Dental Laboratory. Keeps a neat and clean work area in order to minimize any risk of cross contamination. Ensures bur blocks are kept clean, adds new burs when necessary, and disposable burs are thrown out after a single use. Follows clinic and facility infection control policies/practices between patients and ensures all other Dental Assistants are doing so. Chairside Assisting Performs basic chairside assisting with direct instruction from the treating Dentist. Possess basic knowledge in all areas of dentistry including but not limited to, General Dentistry, Periodontics, Prosthodontic, Endodontics, and other areas if called upon to perform these tasks in emergency situations. Places appropriate instruments and materials in the operatory for the planned dental procedure and cleans dental unit for timely turnover. Receives and prepares patients for dental treatment including seating, positioning chair, placing napkin, and performing disinfection and sterilization procedures. Prepares procedural trays, armamentaria setups, dental medicaments, and impression materials per manufacturer's instructions. Passes instruments safely, accurately, and efficiently according to the technique developed for the dentist. Keeps operative field clear of debris, water and/or blood, and retracts oral tissues effectively and comfortably. Recognizes the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency and provides the dentist with appropriate armamentaria at his/her request or their own initiative. The recognizable dental emergencies or urgencies would include but not limited to heart attack, choking on foreign bodies, syncope, vomiting or urination. Works closely with the Lead Dental Assistants to comply with employee education requirements. Completes all mandatory annual safety training sessions. Record Keeping and Scheduling Enters, corrects, and retrieves information from automated systems and applications such as Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA), VistA Scheduling Enhancements, Computerized Patient Record System, and Dental Record Management Plus. Adheres to VA local, National and Service policies and procedures. Abides by Federal privacy and confidentiality regulations and exhibits ethical conduct all times. Utilizes Microsoft (MS) Word or comparable word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents/files; activating printers; inserting/deleting text; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting/receiving e-mail. Develops presentation materials using MS PowerPoint or other comparable graphics software. Uses MS Excel or other comparable spreadsheet software to develop/edit spreadsheets that graphically display data. Ensures routing slips are completely and accurately filled out before submission to the clerk(s) for appointing and entering into VistA. Performs appointment management and patient scheduling duties as needed. Dental Imaging Takes clinically acceptable x-rays, saves digital images to the electronic medical record, and trains new hires on all x-ray equipment as needed. Exposes both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, CEPH, Cone Beam) in traditional and/or digital formats. Modifies settings to achieve the images as requested by the provider. Images are characterized by diagnostic quality, accurately oriented and exposed. Utilizes dental imaging safety techniques, and ensures retakes are minimized. Work Schedule: Various shifts/hours. Tour of duty will be identified upon call for interview. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-00634-F (GS-06) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment medical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education: Experience. Six months experience that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work, or provides familiarity with the work. OR Education. Successful completion of a 1 year Dental Assistant program accredited by the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA). OR Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Certification. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. Provisions for Certification of Radiologic Competence: Successful completion of the Dental Radiation Health and Safety Examination administered by the Dental Assisting National Board, Inc. or Successful completion of the Principles and Practice of Dental Radiology and Radiographic Safety courses and examinations developed by the Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Dentistry. or Successful completion of a radiation health and safety program or examination approved by a state board of dentistry or the Department of Defense. Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for certification of radiologic competence may be given a temporary appointment as a Graduate Dental Assistant under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This will result in removal from the GS-681 series and may result in termination of employment. Grade Determinations: GS-06 Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-05) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level. Resume must include average hours worked per week for work experience credit. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 1. Ability to identify normal oral anatomy. 2. Advanced knowledge of instruments, materials, and standardized dental procedures used in all phases of restorative, surgical, endodontic and periodontal care and procedures. 3. Ability to monitor and perform basic interpretation of vital signs. 4. Ability to independently provide procedure-specific patient education and appropriate referral of patient concerns to treating dentist. 5. Ability to capture standard and special dental images of good diagnostic quality in traditional or digital formats. 6. Ability to perform maintenance on dental equipment used for routine and specialty dentistry. 7. Ability to enter and retrieve data utilizing electronic dental records. 8. Ability to perform Dental Assistant-appropriate laboratory procedures. Preferred Experience: Certification in basic life support methods is highly desirable. Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) certification by the DANB. The American Dental Association recognizes DANB as the national certification for Dental Assistants. DANB certification is not required, but highly desirable for the appointment of Dental Assistants up to and including the Full Performance Level. Performs complex procedures - Oral Surgery and work with specialty clinics Periodontics, Endodontics and Prosthodontics. Extensive knowledge to expose both standard and specialty dental imaging (i.e., TMJ, CEPH, Cone Beam) in digital formats. References: VA Handbook 5005/46, Part II, Appendix G36, Dental Assistant Qualification Standard, dated April 19, 2011. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-06. Physical Requirements: Long period of bending, standing, or walking are required. Ability to communicate in spoken and written English with patients and other health care personnel with sufficient fluency to satisfactorily carry out assigned responsibilities, in accordance with Public Law 95-201. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services) Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.